Yesterday, House Democrats did not floor a vote to extend the 'Protect America Act' due, in part, to conflicts over some of the provisions of that act. Bush has said that the act is
crucial to protecting the American people, but threatened to veto it if no provision is made to protect telecoms from lawsuits for cooperating with the federal government by disclosing customer information and calls.
The
Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act created a special, secretive judicial body to grant warrants for the purpose of surveillance, monitoring, and wiretapping US citizens suspected of extra-national, illegal activity. By the provisions of FISA, the government can wiretap or monitor
anyone immediately and without delay, after which it has 72 hours (3 days) to file for a warrant with the FISA court
if it involves an American citizen. Since it's inception, the FISA court has granted over 2000 warrants, and, as of 2006, has only denied 5 such requests.
Questions for discussion;
1) Does the FISA system prevent the Federal Government, in any way, from surveilling or wiretapping suspected terrorists?
2) What purpose does the PAA serve that FISA does not?
3) Do you believe that judicial oversight is or is not necessary regarding law enforcement in any given circumstances? Please describe.